safety
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death
By Jim Vertuno, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions, his family announced Tuesday.The Boston University CTE Center, wh...
Key takeaway The Boston University CTE Center, which investigates the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and others, analyzed Kneeland's brain tissue after his death.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The diagnosis of early stage CTE in former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland raises concerns about the long-term health consequences for athletes in contact sports in the Houston area, including those in Piney Point Village . As a community with a strong interest in local sports, residents may be wondering about the support systems in place for athletes who may be struggling with the effects of repetitive head trauma. The fact that CTE can only be diagnosed after death highlights the need for increased awareness and resources for athletes, coaches, and families to recognize the warning signs of this degenerative brain disease. In light of Kneeland's tragic death, local sports organizations and schools may need to re-examine their protocols for addressing head injuries and providing mental health support to athletes, to help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions, his family announced Tuesday.The Boston University CTE Center, wh...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jim Vertuno, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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